In a remarkable achievement, Calne Pocket Park has been awarded the prestigious ‘Outstanding’ rating in the ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ category by RHS South West in Bloom.
This accolade reflects the tireless efforts of the dedicated volunteers who maintain the park throughout the year.
John Boaler, Chair of the Pocket Park, expressed his pride, saying: “This is recognition of the fantastic work our volunteers do all year round. Not only is the park always kept looking attractive, but we regularly host events and activities.”
He further invited the community to a special performance of Christmas music this Sunday 15th December, at 2:30 PM. The event will feature a pop-up café operated by volunteers, offering homemade cakes, mince pies, and hot drinks, all free of charge with donations welcomed.
In addition to the award, Thursday afternoon marked the delivery of new tree planters to the Pocket Park. Local landscape gardening company Valley View Fencing & Landscaping was responsible for transferring trees from the old half-barrel planters into the new ones.
The environmentally friendly planters were sourced from geView, they are crafted from recycled plastic and are designed with large reservoirs to minimize watering needs. They require little maintenance beyond occasional cleaning and can be easily relocated using a forklift.
“We successfully bid for grants for eight new planters from Calne Town Council, Calne Area Board (Wiltshire Council), and Wessex Water,” John explained.
“These grants also covered the labour costs, and we were really impressed with the team from Valley View who transplanted the trees for us.”
The Mayor of Calne, Cllr Jon Fisher, visited the park to view the new additions and praised the volunteers for their hard work.
“First, I must say a huge ‘well done’ to all the volunteers on your RHS award. It is great that you have pulled together funding from three sources, including Calne Town Council, to get these modern design, sustainable tree planters. They will further enhance the popular Pocket Park and bring colour to it even in the middle of winter!”
With its new planters and ongoing community engagement, Calne Pocket Park continues to thrive, the park remains a testament to how collaboration and dedication can transform a community space into a haven for residents and visitors alike.
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